Avandia Side Effects – Vision Problems – Macular Edema
In 2005, GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of type II diabetes drug Avandia, reported that the widely used medication may lead to vision problems in some patients, including blurred vision and macular edema. In a written statement, the manufacturer advised patients to seek medical advice if symptoms of vision problems should occur and indicated that the visual impairment improved in some patients who discontinued using its type 2 diabetes medications.
A study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology provided confirmation that glitazone-based diabetes medications, including Avandia and Actos increase the risk of vision problems. Patients on Avandia and Actos were found nearly three times more likely than other patients to develop diabetic macular edema.
In addition, medical experts from the Southern California Medical Group conducted an analysis of 170,000 patients with diabetes, of which nearly 1,000 were diagnosed with macula edema. The researchers found that diabetic patients on Actos and Avandia treatments were 60 percent more likely than other patients to develop the condition.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision is the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to detect details. Patients who suffer from blurred vision are unable to see clearly at all distances and may require eye glasses and/or contact lenses. When left untreated, blurred vision may lead to blindness. The key element in treating blurred vision is identifying the cause of the condition. Type 2 diabetes patients on Avandia experiencing blurred vision should consult a medical professional right away. This serious Avandia side effect may lead to a more serious eye disease, also known as macular edema.
Macular Edema
Macular edema is swelling of the retina due to fluid buildup at the back of the eye. The condition is associated with high blood pressure, uncontrolled blood sugar levels, diabetic retinopathy and certain medications, including Avandia and Avandment, both manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.
Symptoms of macular edema include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Decreased color sensitivity
- Poor vision adaption in the dark
- Progressive vision loss
Avandia Vision Loss Lawsuits
Even though an Avandia FDA recall has not currently been declared, a number of Avandia vision loss lawsuits have been filed against GlaxoSmithKline in both federal and state courts throughout the United States. All federal Avandia lawsuits have been consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where the first trials are expected to begin in the second half of 2010.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with macular edema while using Avandia, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and pain and suffering. There has also been an increased number of Avandia heart attack, stroke, liver failure and a host of additional side effects that may lead to serious medical conditions, complications and death.
Page Updated June 24, 2011
